Lambert Simnel’s army, commanded by the Earl of Lincoln, landed at Piel Island, Cumbria, on 4^th June 1487. The army had been assembled by the Earl of Lincoln and Francis, Lord Lovell. The assembled force that included 2000 Swabian and Swiss mercenaries, led by Captain Schwarz. Several thousand Irishmen had been levied into service.

Gathering support for Lambert Simnel’s invasion

Lincoln, Lovell and Schwartz knew that they now needed to gather further support. They would also need to strike fast before Henry Tudor had time to gather the royal army’s full might.

The northern landing provided ample opportunity to gain extra men along the way. Large parts of the North had been supportive of King Richard III. They had landed in an area where he had held great sway.

From here, they marched south and east, heading towards York, hoping to benefit from the affection that Richard had been held in within its walls.

Opposition to the Yorkists in the north

They faced some opposition en route, beating off a force of Baron Clifford’s men, before finding York itself quite unwilling to commit before any victory had been won.

The army moved on, picking up some additional troops to create a force of some 10000 men by the time it reached East Stoke, where a battle took place against King Henry’s army.

Links related to the Lambert Simnel Invasion of 1487

Proclamation to tackle sedition, 1487

Image Credits

Piel Island and Castle, Barrow-in-Furness. Near to Roa Island, Cumbria, Great Britain. Geographical data: Subject Location OSGB36: SD2363 [Accurate to ~1000m] WGS84: 54:3.7046N 3:10.2162W [54.06174,-3.17027] Via Wikimedia.